The Clan Master Can't possibly Be A Mortal

This Enlightenment Tea Gathering lasted for half a day.

Eight hundred leaves from the Seven-Colored Enlightenment Tea Tree were brewed ten times each, extracting all their inner power, ensuring the disciples drank to their fill.

Everyone's comprehension improved significantly.

"Wow-haw!"

Brother Flathead smashed his tea cup, declaring he wanted another hundred cups, or he'd pummel everyone present.

"You damn rascal! Every time we drink tea, you smash the cups. Next time, I'll prepare you a stainless steel basin!"

Ye Feng stepped forward and launched Brother Flathead with a kick into the center of Spirit Lake. Then, he swiftly retracted his foot, resuming his dignified seated posture.

As if nothing had happened moments before.

"Drink up, dance on!"

Ye Feng raised his tea cup, speaking earnestly.

"Yes!"

Everyone chuckled at the sight, raising their tea cups and downing the last pot's brew.

"Today's tea gathering ends here." Ye Feng stood up slowly. "Return to your rooms and carefully process the benefits gained today. Aim to break through several minor realms."

"Understood!"

The crowd gradually dispersed.

...

At the peak of Misty Peak.

Inside Huo Yunjie's room.

He sat cross-legged on a purple meditation cushion, deeply pondering his Ruthless Sword Intent, though images of his time spent with Lin Yuyan and Baixue Ding kept flashing through his mind.

"What's happening?"

"Why am I always thinking about them?"

"Have I descended into madness?"

Huo Yunjie paused his cultivation, slapping his forehead, but the images of the two women persisted.

"I just can't calm my mind."

Shaking his head, Huo Yunjie left his room, intending to take a solitary stroll to clear his thoughts.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out, he saw Ye Feng seated across the Heavenly Path Spiritual Monkey, sharing tea.

"Little Monkey, your breakthroughs are coming fast; by now, you're nearly a saint." Ye Feng remarked with a smile.

"It's all thanks to you, Big Brother. Otherwise, I'd still be stuck on Suspended Mountain!"

The Heavenly Path Spiritual Monkey gestured humbly.

"Sect Leader, Monkey Elder!"

Huo Yunjie approached and greeted the two.

"Yunjie, not cultivating today? Hit a snag, perhaps?" Ye Feng gestured to the seat beside him. "Come, sit and drink some tea; maybe it'll help clear your doubts."

"Alright."

Huo Yunjie didn't hesitate, taking the seat at once.

"Here, have some tea."

Pouring tea for Huo Yunjie, Ye Feng studied his expression, sensing his turmoil.

"Have something on your mind?"

Ye Feng smiled inquisitively.

"Mn." Huo Yunjie nodded, clutching his tea cup and taking a hefty gulp, yet thoughts of his time with Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan resurfaced once more.

"Again?!"

Huo Yunjie promptly slapped his head, producing loud "thump-thump" sounds.

"Don't over-suppress yourself."

"The Enlightenment Tea amplifies the thoughts buried deep in your heart, enhances your comprehension, and reveals nuances you might've overlooked. Don't suppress them; embrace them fully."

"But… it contradicts my cultivation path!"

Huo Yunjie clutched his head, yet the images of Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan remained vivid.

"Look at your reflection."

Ye Feng pointed to the Immortal Spirit Holy Spring nearby.

Frowning, Huo Yunjie walked over and stood beside the spring, gazing at its crystal-clear waters. Slowly, his consciousness drifted.

When he refocused on the reflection, his pupils tightened.

On the water's surface appeared a series of pictures.

In the scenes:

It was a desolate plain.

Huo Yunjie, Baixue Ding, and Lin Yuyan sat around a campfire, roasting meat. The two women sliced golden-brown crispy cuts with daggers, handing them to Huo Yunjie.

Then, they drank merrily together, laughter filling the air.

The view shifted.

Now a frozen landscape.

"So cold!"

"I'm freezing too."

Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan shivered violently, huddled together for warmth, instinctively moving closer to Huo Yunjie, seeking solace in his warmth.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

Huo Yunjie reached out to place his hands on their shoulders, pulling them into his embrace, covering them with his cloak against the icy winds.

Again, the scene changed.

It was a battlefield.

Misty Sect disciples were locked in slaughter; Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan erupted in fury upon seeing Huo Yunjie's avatar collapse from exhaustion, defending him fiercely.

And there were many other scenes.

Each moment captured their shared ventures vividly, their bonds growing deeper.

Then, the vision ended.

Huo Yunjie remained by the Immortal Spirit Holy Spring, gazing into its clear depths where the reflection had returned to normal.

"Such heartfelt camaraderie."

A calm voice echoed beside him.

Startled, Huo Yunjie turned to see Ye Feng standing nearby, stroking his chin with a faint smile.

When their eyes met, Huo Yunjie quickly looked away.

"Some things require you to confront them, not fear them. Avoidance only creates obstacles."

Ye Feng patted Huo Yunjie's shoulder.

"I cultivate Ruthless Sword Dao; emotions should have no place. How can I confront this?"

Huo Yunjie clenched his fists.

Ye Feng extended a finger, tapping it against Huo Yunjie's chest and said deliberately, "Don't you see yet? The Ruthless Dao applies only to the sword, not to the person. The Dao is lifeless, but the person is alive. Remember this—you are human; humans are meant to feel."

"But… I still can't separate them."

Huo Yunjie shook his head repeatedly.

He understood it now.

Both Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan harbored deep affection for him. Equally, he had feelings for them, yet his Ruthless Sword Dao kept him from expressing them.

He'd been restraining himself.

Over time, it began to break him.

Reflecting on those images just now, he realized that he truly enjoyed their companionship.

It was unmistakably love!

But his cultivation path revolved around Ruthless Sword Dao!

Huo Yunjie grew increasingly conflicted.

"If you can't figure it out, go out and explore for a while! Visit unfamiliar places, experience new things—you might gain some insight."

Ye Feng patted Huo Yunjie's shoulder.

"Understood."

Huo Yunjie quickly packed his belongings, deciding to venture out alone without Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan.

"Wait!"

Ye Feng called out, handing a heavy red envelope to Huo Yunjie. "This is my gift to you. Open it after you leave."

"Sect Master Uncle, that's unnecessary."

Huo Yunjie hesitated.

"No arguments! In our tradition, elders give a red envelope to juniors when they set out on journeys—it's called 'prosperity.' It's meant to ensure all goes smoothly. Don't accept it, and I'll knock sense into you!"

Ye Feng glared in mock threat.

"Fine… Thank you, Sect Master Uncle."

Huo Yunjie accepted the hefty red envelope, placing it into his storage ring. Carrying his longsword, he prepared to depart.

"Hold it!"

Ye Feng's voice stopped him again.

Nearly tripping, Huo Yunjie turned back with a bitter smile, saying, "Sect Master Uncle, could you just tell me everything at once?"

"Take Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan along. As they say, the one who tied the knot should untangle it."

Ye Feng replied with a meaningful grin.

Huo Yunjie hesitated briefly before nodding.

Half a day later.

At Tianlan Immortal Realm.

Three figures passed through the Gate of the Immortal Realm, walking across a nearby wasteland.

"Yunjie, why did you bring us to the Tianlan Immortal Realm?" Baixue Ding looked at Huo Yunjie, who strode ahead, her delicate face filled with curiosity.

"Yeah!" Lin Yuyan also appeared puzzled.

"It's… nothing!"

Huo Yunjie waved his hands quickly, avoiding their gazes, hastening his pace. "I've hit a bottleneck in my cultivation level, so I wanted to get out and explore. I figured bringing you along would help gain experience."

"Oh!"

"I see."

Baixue Ding and Lin Yuyan exchanged a glance, both sighing lightly, sensing Huo Yunjie wasn't being entirely truthful with them.